Chapter 484 – Third Eunuch
Zhao Hai's previous carriage wasn't that large, it was a vehicle that was used by common nobles. The one he was using right now was something that a Great Clan's Patriarch would use, it was beautiful and elegant.
Randolph gave Zhao Hai this carriage because Zhao Hai's status was now different. Zhao Hai was now qualified to sit in this kind of carriage, he was now treated the same as the Patriarchs of millenium-old clans.
When Zhao Hai boarded the carriage, he asked the driver about why the Emperor was looking for him, but naturally, the servant had no idea. This made Zhao Hai very confused.
When the carriage entered Carson City, all of the people who saw the vehicle immediately gave way. All residents of Carson City was well aware that someone who rode such a carriage didn't have a simple status. These were people that they cannot offend, so they backed away immediately.
Before long, the carriage arrived outside the Imperial Palace. Rosen Empire's Imperial Palace was extraordinary. Its outside fence was several feel high, in front of the gates were two rows of Warriors, numbering 40. All of them wore full-body armor, the material that it was made from looked very uncommon either.
Outside the palace was a moat, with a bridge connecting the two sides. Zhao Hai's carriage stopped in front of the bridge, the servant went down from the carriage and informed Zhao Hai, "Young Master Zhao Hai, the carriage has reached its destination. You need to walk to the bridge and have your name registered, after that, people would lead you to see His Majesty."
Zhao Hai nodded, then he went down the vehicle and walked towards the bridge and crossed it. When he reached the other side, he was blocked by two of the Warriors. Looking at Zhao Hai's carriage, these Warriors naturally didn't look down on Zhao Hai as one of them said, "Mister, please head inside and have your name registered." Then he gave a gesture.
Zhao Hai followed the direction he was pointed to and arrived in a place with small rooms, it seems like these were used for registration. Zhao Hai nodded and walked into the room he was led to.
He opened the door and walked in. The room wasn't very big, but it was warm. The inside of the room was quite simple, it has one table and four chairs. Sitting on one side of the table were two men, both of them looked approximately 30 years old, they were very white and flawless. They wore a patterned dress that looked beautiful.
Seeing Zhao Hai come inside, the two men immediately stood up and gave him a bow before saying, "We have seen mister, may we ask mister's name?" Their voices were a bit thin. When he heard their voices, Zhao Hai immediately knew that these two men were eunuchs.
Although Zhao Hai didn't have much liking towards eunuchs, he was still very polite. In the history of China, there were a lot of incidents were eunuchs were the principal cause. Who knows what these people could do, so Zhao Hai became polite and returned the bow before answering, "I am Buda Clan's Patriarch, Zhao Hai Buda. I came here to answer His Majesty's summons."
As soon as the two eunuchs heard the name of Zhao Hai, they immediately became even more respectful, they quickly nodded and said, "We'll take care of mister's registration before Mister can go, another eunuch will be waiting for you inside."
Zhao Hai nodded, after the two eunuchs registered his name, they gave him a golden token. One the eunuchs said, "Mister can take this and head inside. Someone will be leading you to His Majesty."
Zhao Hai nodded and received the token, then he turned around to leave the room and walked towards the Imperial Palace. The guards inspected the token in Zhao Hai's hand before allowing him passage.
When Zhao Hai entered the gate of the Imperial Palace, he saw that a eunuch was already waiting for him there. The eunuch wasn't young, he looked over 50 years old. However, Zhao Hai didn't dare underestimate the eunuch. The eunuch had an imposing manner, a kind of attitude that someone of a high position would have. Moreover, he also had a very heavy killing aura around him.
Upon seeing this eunuch, Zhao Hai immediately knew that he wasn't simple. He reckoned that this man should be an assassin, an advanced level assassin.
When the eunuch saw Zhao Hai, he immediately went forwards and gave him a bow before asking, "Patriarch Zhao Hai?"
Zhao Hai didn't dare neglect the gesture as he returned a bow and said, "Mister is too polite, this one is Zhao Hai."
The eunuch immediately replied, "Mister Count, please come with me. His Majesty is already waiting for you." Then he walked towards the interior of the palace, Zhao Hai followed him behind. While walking, the eunuch gave Zhao Hai instructions about how he should give courtesy to the Emperor.
Giving respects to a monarch in the Ark Continent was not quite the same as in Earth. On Earth, when you see an Emperor, you would need to perform a kneeling ritual, if you meet for the first time, a kowtow would be needed. However, in Ark Continent, as long as one held a Noble title, they won't need to kneel in front of the Emperor, a bow would suffice.
Bowing naturally had its own rules, it was different between noble ranks. Lowest nobles would need to bow 90 degrees, the scale lessens as the rank increases. All of these were introduced to Zhao Hai.
It was Zhao Hai's first meeting with this eunuch, it wasn't good for him if he were to ask too much. He just quietly walked at his side and listened to the eunuch, but Zhao Hai wanted to try gaining his favor.
When they arrived in a hallway, Zhao Hai looked around to make sure that there were nobody else before he turned his hand and retrieved an item that he had looted from the Robert Family. This was a piece of magic crystal, an alchemy product. He didn't know how the alchemists made this but he can see that there was a formation engraved in it. The formation was very beautiful, all of it was inlaid with gold along with some other materials. The formation seemed to sparkle, and along with how the formation itself, the crystal became even more beautiful.
The crystal wasn't very big, only the size of one's palm. It might look small, but its function was very nice, it can help in regulating a person's temperature, eliminate fatigue, as well as remove any strange odors in one's body. It was a rare plaything.
Zhao Hai gently handed the crystal over to the eunuch and said, "This is the first time that I had met eunuch, so I was not prepared. I would like sir eunuch to accept this small plaything as a gift from me."
The eunuch looked at the crystal in Zhao Hai's hand. He was a person who was keen on noticing an item's worth and he saw how extraordinary Zhao Hai's crystal was. He immediately said, "The Count is too kind. I'm just a eunuch, it wouldn't be proper for me to accept such a gift."
Zhao Hai smiled faintly and said, "Sir eunuch is too polite. For His Majesty to trust you meant that you are absolutely worthy of this small gift. The current weather is very cold, this little thing can keep Sir eunuch's body temperature at a comfortable level. Sir eunuch would also be by his Majesty's side all the time, this thing can also relieve fatigue. Additionally, this one can eliminate any odors in one's body, even if it didn't have much use, it should still be able to take care of the small nuances in Sir eunuch's day to day living."
The eunuch looked at Zhao Hai, the first two points wasn't much of a problem for him. Just as Zhao Hai has suspected, the man was indeed an assassin, an 8th rank assassin. With his strength, the cold and heat wasn't a problem, he doesn't get tired easily as well. However, the last point of eliminating odors attracted him.
Eunuchs have this problem, because of their function, they didn't have the advantages that a normal man might have, there were things that they can't do. Moreover, they are easily prone to odors. Because of this, they rarely eat in the morning, they rarely drink water as well. Their tasks were stressful. One should know that if the King notices a strange smell in them, there was a high possibility of them being executed. If not, they would fall out of favor, and for them, falling out of favor was much worse than death.
Therefore, this issue of body odors was a very important issue to these eunuchs. Besides eating and drinking a little, they would also constantly change clothes. They would also sprinkle powders along with other methods in order to mask the smell of their bodies.
With Zhao Hai's crystal, all of these issues would be solved. The eunuch became elated when he heard Zhao Hai point out the uses of the crystal.
Seeing the eunuch's expression, Zhao Hai immediately handed the crystal over and said, "I ask Sir eunuch to receive it and give me face. Right, I've been very disrespectful, I still don't know Sir eunuch's name."
The eunuch didn't decline this time, he received Zhao Hai's crystal and placed it near his chest. He immediately felt the benefits of the crustal, in his usually cold body, the temperature began to rise. The eunuch smiled and then turned to smile at Zhao Hai, "The Count is too kind, we don't have any names. But in my generation, I'm number three. Later on, people began to call me Third Eunuch."
Zhao Hai quickly said, "This count has met Third Eunuch. If mister has any needs in the future, please don't hesitate to inform me."
Third Eunuch laughed and said, "Very well, I will do so."
Zhao Hai didn't believe that this gift would completely buy Third Eunuch. He just wanted to earn his good favor, it might make things more convenient in the future.
Actually, with his current strength, he didn't have to earn Third Eunuch's favor. But Zhao Hai still did it in order to establish relations. He knew that he still couldn't offend a lot of people. After all, nobles still held control of the matters in the continent. People who didn't have any good relationships in this world wouldn't be able to survive.
At this time, they have arrived outside the Imperial Palace great hall. This was the place where the Emperor handles his day to day politics. The place didn't have an elegant name, it was just called Hall of Administration. Like the rest of the continent, it's naming was a practical one.
The Hall of Administration had a few dozen steps in it. Third Eunuch asked Zhao Hai to wait at the bottom of the steps while he goes in and reports his arrival. Before long, Zhao Hai heard a voice announcing his presence, "Mister Zhao Hai has arrived!"
Zhao Hai patted his clothes to make them proper before ascending the steps. He was going to see the Emperor of the continent's most powerful nation. If he said that he wasn't anxious, then he would be lying.
Chapter 485 – Matters in the Great Hall
When Zhao Hai arrived in front of the Hall of Administrations' door, the eunuch announced a second time, "Zhao Hai Buda has arrived!"
Zhao Hai looked into the eyes of the eunuch and then took a deep breath before he entered the hall. Upon entering, Zhao Hai scanned the hall to see that there were a lot of people inside. He also saw people he was familiar with, the Crown Prince, the Second Prince, Charlie, Randolph, Jason's Grandfather, as well as Nobles he became acquainted with during the banquets that he had attended the days before. Now these people were divided into two sitting columns. Zhao Hai already expected other people to be present, but he didn't expect that it would be this much.
There was an elevated stage with a throne in the middle of the hall, a man can be seen sitting down on it. The throne was made of gold and silver, it was also inlaid with a lot of gems, and covered in a layer of animal leather. The throne looked very soft and comfortable.
The man wasn't very tall, he looked very refined, maybe even delicate. His hair was faintly gray, his complexion was still quite rosy. He had a gold crown on his head and a staff in his hand. The staff wasn't very long, it was only about 40 centimeters. The staff was made entirely of gold, its head was decorated with gigantic gemstones. This wasn't a Magic Staff, but a scepter, an item that was a symbol of influence.
This man wore very magnificent and expensive looking clothes. Although he looked very refined, he also gave off a very imposing aura, enough to make a weaker man submit. The man just sat there, calmly looking at Zhao Hai. However, Zhao Hai felt pressure, this pressure came purely from the man's body. This pressure wasn't deliberately made to shake Zhao Hai, it was just the natural aura coming from the man's body.
"This should be the Rosen Empire's Emperor", Zhao Hai mused inwardly. He immediately made a move and slowly walked towards the man, when he was five meters away, he performed a 90 degree bow to the man. He straightened his body and then said, "Zhao Hai Buda has seen His Majesty!"
Rosen Empire's Emperor looked at Zhao Hai and then nodded, "You are Zhao Hai? Good, young man, very good. Were you present when the Robert Family used Antimagic Powder?"
Zhao Hai quickly responded, "Yes, Your Majesty. The Robert Family did use Antimagic Powder to attack me."
The Emperor nodded, then said, "Are you really a Mage? How did you survive the Robert Family's attack?"
Zhao Hai stared, then he thought that Randolph might have not told the Emperor about him being a Martial and Magic Dual Cultivator. Randolph also didn't tell the Emperor that Zhao Hai can cast magic under the influence of Antimagic Powder, leaving Zhao Hai with a card in hand.
Thinking about this, Zhao Hai immediately said, "Replying to His Majesty's question, this one isn't only a Mage, I'm an 8th rank Warrior as well. Because of that, Antimagic Powder cannot suppress me." Zhao Hai also didn't reveal the fact that he was unaffected by the Antimagic Powder, he wanted to make this into his hidden ace. Compared to his ability as a Warrior, this matter was a better choice to conceal.
After hearing Zhao Hai, the people in the hall became shocked. They couldn't help but whisper to each other. They already knew that Zhao Hai was an 8th rank Mage, but they didn't expect that Zhao Hai was an 8th rank Warrior as well!
In other words, Zhao Hai was a Dual Cultivator of Magic and Battle Qi? However, in the history of the continent, Martial and Magic Dual Cultivators didn't have much of a success. There were only a handful of people of people who can reach 6th rank, reaching 7th rank was the highest recorded instance.
But now, Zhao Hai revealed that he wasn't only an 8th rank Mage, he was also an 8th rank Warrior, this was unbelievable. If Zhao Hai wasn't in front of the Emperor right now, they would surely think that Zhao Hai was lying.
The Emperor was also somewhat surprised at Zhao Hai, then he nodded and said, "Good, young man, you're very good. This Emperor has called you today for a small request. If you handle this matter well, you will be rewarded."
Zhao Hai bowed and said, "For the benefit of His Majesty, I wouldn't even need a reward to take action. I ask His Majesty to show me."
The Emperor gave a satisfied nod and said, "This is about Engraved Ark that you have uncovered. I will not hide it from you, we already turned Robert Patriarch and Terry into advanced level undead in order to interrogate them. However, the matters that they knew were not many. They also mentioned that there should also be another member of Engraved Ark in their family. But as to who this member was, they didn't know. Now that the Robert Family has been eliminated by you, the amount of corpses present is too much for our Dark Mages to turn into advanced level undead. Randolph told me that you can achieve it. Is that true?"
Zhao Hai nodded, "I can, Your Majesty. Rest Assured."
The Emperor nodded and said, "Then can you do it inside this hall? Our country wants to see how different your Dark Magic is."
Zhao Hai stared for a while before saying, "Your Majesty, turning these corpses into undead needed them to be present. If we do it inside this hall, it might contaminate Your Majesty's sights. Moreover, I'm afraid that His Majesty might not like the way I use Magic."
The Emperor didn't seem to care, he shook his head and said, "No need to worry, just do it in this hall. Let this Emperor see for himself."
Zhai Hai didn't say anything else, he nodded and said, "Just as you wish, Your Majesty."
The Emperor nodded, then he waved his hand. Third Eunuch, who was standing right by the Emperor's side, took two steps forward and said loudly, "Take them in!" Then a buzzing sound was heard outside the hall before stretchers carrying bodies covered in white cloth entered.
These corpses were naturally processed. They didn't have any unusual smell, but the sight of this row of corpses looked very unattractive.
The nobles inside the hall already knew that it was Zhao Hai who exterminated the Robert Family. But when they saw the bodies being carried in, they couldn't help but exclaim about Zhao Hai's ruthlessness, they whispered between each other.
The Emperor didn't care, he turned his head to Zhao Hai and said, "You can begin." Zhao Hai gave a bow before he took his Magic Staff out and muttered several incantations. Then a black gas appeared and covered the corpses inside the hall. When the black gas disappeared, all of the bodies were already standing. These people looked no different than when they were alive. If it weren't for their pale complexion and lifeless eyes, people might even mistake them for live people.
Zhao Hai could just change these people into skeletons, but since he wanted to display his abilities, he deliberately made them into zombies. In Ark Continent, one didn't need to be afraid if they had the strength. As long as you are strong, people would give you great importance. Conversely, if you are useless, nobody would look at you in the eyes.
When the people in the Great Hall looked at the undead, they couldn't help but feel somewhat restless. In their minds, undead were generally either skeletons or rotting zombies. However, Zhao Hai's zombies were in a pristine condition, they looked exactly just like a normal person. This wasn't something that they had seen before.
After reviving the undead, Zhao Hai turned to the Emperor and said, "Your majesty, you can now ask them questions. I can assure you that they wouldn't lie."
The Emperor was also shocked by Zhao Hai's undead, he looked at Zhao Hai and then said, "Alright, you go ask them. Just find out who the other member of Engraved Ark was."
Zhao Hai nodded, then he immediately went to ask the group of undead. But unfortunately, the member of Engraved Ark wasn't present among them. Zhao Hai didn't say anything as he received these undead into his Space and then had another batch of corpses be sent in.
Zhao Hai remained in the hall as he turned groups upon groups of corpses into undead until he found out the other member of Engraved Ark. When he found out, Zhao Hai was surprised, the member of Engraved Ark turned out to be one of Robert Patriarch's wives!
From the mouth of this member of Engraved Ark, Zhao Hai managed to get a few more information. The source of faith of the organization was truly the Demon God. Destroying the continent was their duty. All of the members of Engraved Ark almost never meet, they just communicate with each other using encrypted codes. Most importantly, none of these members knew each other's identity. They don't have any marks on their bodies. If one wanted to find out about anything regarding their identity, then it should be that each of their homes should have an idol of the Demon God!
This kind of information was truly useless for Zhao Hai. How many people were in the continent? How many noble families? They don't have any obvious characteristics, just the fact that they have an idol of the Demon God in their homes. But who actually knew what the Demon God looked like? There were too many factors to consider, there was no way to find it.
However, even if they didn't have a single good harvest, this member knew much more than Robert Patriarch and Terry. This organization has existed for more than a thousand years. In the very beginning, all of them were just people at the bottom of society. These people were oppressed by the nobility and found that there was no way to resist them. In the end, these people joined up and create the Engraved Ark, it was also at this point that they started to worship the Demon God.
Along with the transformation on the continent and the constant change of dynasties, the organization slowly gained power and influence and eventually became Great Nobles. The Robert Family was one of those families.
Also, even if there wasn't a definite indication that one was a member of Engraved Ark, they were devilish in their hearts. They believed that the Demon God was a good killer and a ruthless person, therefore, the attitudes and temperaments of their members would generally be ruthless and sinister. All of these would naturally reflect on the overall outlook of their families, just like Robert Family's Savage Wolf emblem.
Obtaining this information was a great help for the Rosen Empire. At the very least, they now have a heading, they can now somewhat decrease their scope of surveillance.
At this point, the nobles in the hall were now dreading Engraved Ark. This was because this organization's threat to the continent was much higher than the Radiant Church. The Radiant Church only wanted to establish control, but Engraved Ark actually wanted their life!